The Circus Comes to Town
Circuses and Caravans of wild animals appeared in Belfast as early as 1816. In 1885, Barnum's "Greatest Show on Earth," featuring 16 elephants including Jumbo, pitched its tent on Congress Street where over 8,000 people enjoyed the spectacle, despite ankle-deep mud. Six locomotives pulled the circus train into the station where it was met with fanfare. In recent history, when the circus came to town, it was not unusual to see elephants strolling through downtown on their way to a refreshing dip at the town landing. James Cook, a fugitive slave, arrived in Belfast in 1820, and for many years worked as a barber offering haircutting, shaving and dyeing services. In 1847 he built the double-fronted brick store, shown here with circus animals passing in front (c. 1900).
Marker is at the intersection of Main Street and Washington Street, on the left on Main Street.
Courtesy hmdb.org
